The Office is accorded legitimacy by Chapter IV of the Constitution of Barbados.[2] The Governor-General is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Barbados.[3][4] The Governor-General exercises executive powers and who assents to bills in her name before they can become promulgated into law.[5] The Barbados Constitution limits the powers of the Governor-General (known as a "Constitutional monarchy" system of governance), however.[6] This effectively limits the powers of the Queen as it does the Governor-General, who in most instances, exercises authority on the advice of the Prime Minister, or other persons or bodies within Barbados.[7]

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The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office, appoints a Governor-General to be her representative in Barbados.[8][9] Both the Queen and the Governor-General hold much power of the country though it is rarely used, it is usually only used in emergencies and in some cases war.[10]

The Governor-General represents the Queen on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of Parliament, and the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the Constitution, he is given authority to act in some matters, for example: in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service; the power to grant "any person convicted of any offence against the laws of Barbados a pardon";[11] and in proroguing Parliament; and so on, but only in a few cases is he empowered to act entirely on his own discretion.

The Governor-General of Barbados also chairs the Privy Council of Barbados.